Traction wheel



l, 1934. J. HECHT ET AL 1,957,338

TRACTION WHEEL Filed April 27, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 v v E f gill glORS.

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TRACTION WHEEL Filed April 27. 1955 I s Sheets-Sheet 2 ZZZ/./ KE"\"\ vATTOR 5Y5 y 1, 1934- J. L. HECHT ET AL 1,957,338

TRACTION WHEEL Filed April 27, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ZJ 7, g 06 r Wm!-36 4I0L I INVENTORS.

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TRAC'EIGN EL roseoh L. Hecht and Ernest E. Einreidt, Davenport, Iowa,assignors to French & Hecht, llncor= porated, a corporation of IowaApplication April 21, 1933, seriai No. 668,156

This invention relates to traction wheels for Fig. 4 is a verticaltransverse section through motor vehicles, tractors and the like, andmore the wheel equipped with a. modified form of the particularly tomeans for varying the tractive improved weight;

effect of the driving wheels of such vehicles, 9.0- Fig. is a verticaltransverse section of a por- 5 cording to the demands and conditions tobe met tion of the wheel equipped with two weights of 60 in theiroperation. modified form;

The present invention contemplates the pro- Fig. 6 is a view similar toFig. 5, showing the vision of weights which may be readily applied wheelequipped with three weights; to and removed from the wheels of the ma-Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse section of a porlo chine, and which areso constructed that diii'erio of t Wheel q pp d With weights of Still 5cut numbers of the weights may be utilized at another modified form; andthe same time, and as desired, to meet a particu- F 3 i a f e vi w f thw l f y pp lar demand. Further, the invention provides a W Weights 0fthe preferred formcompact arrangement of the weights on the T e W el ustated in th a companyin wheels so as to maintain their centers of weightdraw s mpris s a hub 1 and a ri which 70 in as close proximity t that fthe wh l as pQsare connected in the usual manner by spokes 3. sible, andto permit a maximum of weight to be The Wheel y e of a y d s d C sructio disposed withinalimited-space. and adapted to carry a pneumatictire'I (as To these ends, the weights are constructed illustrated) tocarry a Cushion rubber tire, 2c in the form of annular members or ringsadapted 1' it may be in the form of an a l et t c or 75 to be arrangedon the wheel in series radially, Wheelor nested thereon, in the spacebetween the hub As already Stated, 'p se inve tion is diand m of t 1, tweights being secured rected to the application of weights to the wheel15 m by fastening means adapted t be assoin order to increase itstractive effect, andv conciated with one weight only regardless of the pat s a mpa a m t f th w ights number of weights which are applied to orfitted to p m a imum of w i ht. t b dispos d on the wheel. Morespecifically, the weights are most efieetiveiy Within a limited space iadapted to -fit one around the other, and are In the preferredembQdimeIIt-Of the ve cone-shaped and formed with correspondingly whichis l r d in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 8, a series beveled contiguous surfaces,so that each weight of We 5, a d i the form of rings havin 3subsequently fitted on the wheel will engage and different diameters, aadapted to be applied or wedge or clamp in place the weight previouslyfitted to the outside of the wheel and arranged fitted thereon. Thefastening means, in the form th n in st d c dit n, r in s ri s radially,of hook-bolts adapted to engage the spokes of being seemed t the Wheel yhook-belts the the wheel, are associated with the weight last inner o dds Of which a e W th the applied, and hence, through the weights themp e3 0 the e e rring particularly to selves, a single circle of boltsserves to secure ghe Weight Which is the Weight fi s all of the weightsto the wheel. applied to the wheel, is formed so that a surface In theaccompanying drawings, the invention 10 thereof, which is adjacent therim 2 01. the do has been shown merely by way of example and wheel,substantially follows the contour of the in preferred form, andobviously many variations im, thus e b n t e max mum amount of andmodifications may be made therein which weighting material to beemployed in the weight. will still be comprised within its spirit. It isto However, in order to allow for discrepancies in be understood,therefore, that the invention is manufacture and to insure that theweight 5 will 45 not limitedto any particular form or embodiment,readily fit the wheel to which it is'to be applied,

except insofar as such limitations are specified it is formed so thatonly a portion 11 of the surin the appended claims. face 10 will contactwith the rim 2, the portion Referring to the drawings: 11 being adaptedto engage with the under sur- Fig. 1 is a vertical transverse sectionthrough face of the tirebead seat 2*, the diameter of 50 the wheelequipped with one of the improved which is the same for all rims adaptedto carry weights; Y a pneumatic tire of a'given size. The surface 5 Fig.2 is a vertical transverse section of a porof the weight 5 is formedwith a recess 12 to protionof the wheel equipped with two weights; videlugs 13 and 14, in each of which there is Fig. 3 is a view similar toFig. 2, showing the formed a recess or groove 15 adapted to receive 55wheel equipped with three weights; one of the fastening bolts 8, theweight being fashioning of the grooves 15, which have a depth reaterthan the diameter of the bolts 8. With this construction and arrangementof the parts, it will be noted (see Fig. 1) that the weight 5 may befitted to the wheel, and the bolts 8 engaged with the spokes and fittedinto the grooves 15, whereupon tightening of the nuts 8 on the bolts 8will draw the weight toward the spokes 3 and securely clamp it inposition on the wheel. It will also be noted that two bolts only arerequired to secure the weight to the wheel, although, of course, agreater number of bolts may be employed.

Coming now to the application of additional weights, the surface 5 ofthe weight 5 is coneshaped, so that when the cone-shaped weight 6 isapplied, it fits snugly into position with its correspondingly beveledor cone-shaped outer sur face 6 in contact with the surface 5 of theweight 5. When the weight 6 has been thus applied to the wheel, the nuts8 are loosened, and the bolts 8 shifted from the grooves 15 formed inthe weight 5, to grooves 16 formed in the weight 6, and the nuts 8tightened to fasten the weight 6 to the wheel, which weight, by itswedging engagement with the weight 5, holds the latter in place, asshown in Fig. 2. When still an-.

other weight, such as the cone-shaped weight 7, is to be applied, it isfitted yvithin the weight 6, as shown in Fig. 3, a cut away portion '7permitting it to overlie the outer edge 1 of the hub 1.

, The outer surface '7 of the weight 7 is beveled for engagement withthe inner smface 6 of the to the wheel and which is-formed with a cone--weight 6, which is correspondingly beveled. The bolts 8 are shifted fromtheir position in engagement with the weight 6 to grooves 1'7 formed inthe surface 7 of the weight '7 for fastening the latter to the spokes3,'the weight 7 holding the weight 6 on the wheel, while the weight 6 inturn holds the weight 5 on the wheel. Thus it will be seen that with theweights 5, 6 and '7 formed and arranged on the wheel in the manner justdescribed, an interlocking engagement of the weights is effected so thata single circle of bolts, consisting of two or more, associated with theweight last applied, serves to secure all of the weights on the wheel,and in such manner that the load is carried by the spokes and rim of thewheel and not bythe projecting hub.

Figs. 3, 4'and 5 illustrate a modification of the invention, wherein theweight of smallest diameter is the weight adapted first to be applied tothe wheel. This weight 20, as shown in Fig. 4, is cone-shaped andformed. with a cavity 21 adapted to receive the outer portion 1 of thehub 1, the portion 22 of the weight 20, which forms the wall of thecavity 21, being adapted to seat upon shoulders 4 of the spokes 3. Theweight 20 is formed with grooves 23 adapted to receive the hook-bolts 8which fasten the weight in place, in the manner already set forth in thedescription of the preferred embodiment of the invention. With this formof weight, the latter is carried solely by the spokes, upon theshoulders of which it rests and with which the bolts 8 engage, therebeing no engagementof the weight with the hub 1.

In this embodiment of the invention, the outer surface 20 of thecone-shaped weight 20 is beveled so that when the weight 25 next to beapplied spondingly beveled surface 25, is fitted over the weight 20, theengagement of the surface 25' with the surface 20 of the weight 20 wi lhold formed in this manner in order to facilitate the the latter inplace by a clamping action, the bolts 8 being shifted from the grooves23 to grooves 26 formed in the outer surface 25 of the weight 25. Inorder to efiect a proper seating of the nut 8 or washer 8 if one isemployed, the weight is cut away as at 27 to provide a seat 28.

A third cone-shaped weight 30, whose surface 30 is beveled to correspondwith the beveled surface 25 of the weight 25, is adapted to fit over thelatter and hold it in place, the bolts 8 being shifted to grooves 31formed in the surface 30 of the weight 30. The surface 30 of this weightis shaped to conform with the contour of the rim 2, in order to effect asnug fit when the weight is fastened in position. The opposite surfaceof the weight is recessed as at 32 to form a seat for the nut 8 the seatbeing flush with the seat 28 of the weight 25.

As in the case of the preferred embodiment, the construction andarrangement of the weights in the present instance permit the use of asingle circle of bolts, associated with the weight last to be applied tothe wheel, for holding all the weights in position on the wheel.

Another modification of the invention is illustrated in Fig. '7, whereinthe manner of applying the weights to the wheel includes certainfeatures of each of, the embodiments already described. The largerweight 35, which is the weight first to be applied, is adapted to seatagainst the rim 2 of the wheel in the same marmer as the weight 5 shownin Fig. 1. In order to fasten the weight to the spokes 3 of the wheel,it is formed with a bolt hole 36 extending transversely therethrough, arecess 37 being provided in the outer face of the weight to form a seatfor the nut 8 of the bolt 8, and the surface 35 of the weight 35 isbeveled in the same manner as the surface 5 of the weight 5. The secondweight 40 is wedgeshaped, being formed with opposed diverging surfaces40 and 40. A bolt hole 41 is formed in the weight, extendingtransversely thereof from a nut seat 42'formed in the outer face of theweight. When the weight 40 is applied to the wheel, its beveled surface40 engages with the correspondingly beveled surface 35 of the weight 35and effects a wedging action against the latter weight when it is drawninto positionby tightening up the nut 8 of the bolt 8. When, however, athird weight 45, formed with a surface 45 beveled in the same manner .asthe surface 20 of the weight 20, is applied to the wheel, the weight 40is removed sufiiciently to permit the a tplication of the weight 45 andthen replaced with its opposed surfaces 40 and 40 engaging the surfaces35" and 45 respectively, and fastened in position as before. This thirdweight 45, like the weight 20 shown in Fig. 4, is adapted to seat on thespoke shoulders 4, and is formed with a recess 46 adapted to receive theprojecting oute portion of the hub 1.

With this construction and arrangement of the weights, the wedge-shapedweight 40 serves either to hold the weight 35 in position, or to holdboth the weight 35 and the weight 45, between which it is interposed andon which it exerts a wedging action to clamp the former against the rim2 and the latter against the spoke shoulders 4.

' As already stated, the invention has been shown merely by way ofexample and in preferred form, and as applied to a particular. type ofwheel, and obviously many modifications and alterations of the inventionwill suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departurefrom its scope. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention isnot limited to any specific construction or arrangement ofthe parts,except insofar as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. A traction wheel including, in combination, a plurality of tractionincreasing weights in the form of annular members having different diam-,eters and arranged on the wheel in interlocking nested condition.

2. A traction wheel'including, in combination, ,a plurality of tractionincreasing weights in the form of annular members having differentdiameters, and arranged on the wheel in interlocking nested condition,and fastening means associated with one member only for holding all ofthe members in said nested condition.

3. A traction wheel including, in combination, a plurality of tractionincreasing weights secured to the wheel and arranged thereon in seriesradially, and means associated with one weight only which fastens all ofthe weights to the wheel.

4. A traction wheel including, in combination, a plurality of tractionincreasing weights secured to the wheel and arranged in series radially,the weights being formed with correspondingly bev- 'eled contiguoussurfaces, so that each weight successively arranged on the wheel willengage and hold in position each adjacent weight previously arranged onthe wheel.

5. A traction wheel including, in combination, a plurality ofcone-shaped traction increasing weights secured to the wheel andarranged in series radially, the weights being formed withcorrespondingly beveled contiguous surfaces, so that each weightsuccessively-arranged on the wheel will engage and hold in position eachadjacent weight previously arranged on the wheel, and means associatedwith the weight last arranged on the Wheel for securing all of theweights to the wheel.

6. A traction wheel including, in combination, two traction increasingweights arranged on the wheel, said weights being formed to be securedin position on the wheel by a third weight interposed between them andattached to the Wheel.

'7. A traction wheel including, in combination, a plurality of tractionincreasing weights arranged on the wheel in series radially and havingoppositely beveled opposed surfaces{ and wedge-shaped fastening meansinterposed between said weights to secure the same in position on thewheel.

8. A traction wheel including, in combination, two traction increasingweights arranged on the wheel and having oppositely beveled opposedsurfaces, and an intermediate wedge-shaped weight interposed betweensaid two weights and fastened to the wheel to secure all of the weightsthereto.

9. A weight according to claim 6, characterized by the fact'that theweight is wedge-shaped and formed with a series of bolt holes extendingtransversely therethrough.

10. A traction wheel including, in combination, a plurality of tractionincreasing weights arranged on the wheel concentric with the axisthereof and in series radially, and means for securing one of saidweights to the wheel, said weights being constructed so that the meansfor securing one weight to the wheel operates to-secure the otherweights to the wheel.

11'. A traction wheel including, in combination, an annular tractionincreasing weight formed with a bearing surface on its periphery forengagement with the rim of the wheel and having its radially innersurface bevelled, a second weight formed with a correspondingly bevelledradially outer surface and fitted with said surface in engagement withthe bevelled inner surface of the first weight, and means associatedwith said second weight which secures both of said weights to the wheel.

12. A traction wheel including, in combination, an annular tractionincreasing weight formed to overlie the hub of the wheel and formed witha bearing surface for engagement with the spoke shoulders adjacent thehub,'said Weight being formed with a bevelled radially outer surface, a

second weight formed with a correspondingly bevelled radially innersurface and fitted with said surface in engagement with the bevelledradially outer surface of said first weight, and means associated withsaid second weight which secures both of said weights to the wheel.

JOSEPH L. HECI-IT. ERNEST E. EINFELDT.

